London (Platts)--2Jul2007

Two Vattenfall reactors experienced scramming transients June 29 at a critical
political moment in the utility's battle to persuade the federal government to
permit life extension of one of the affected units. 

The Kruemmel BWR had a turbine-side fire and a short circuit, and the
Brunsbuettel BWR scrammed after a short circuit, Vattenfall said. Vattenfall
is now investigating the cause of the two incidents. In response, Gitta
Trauerknecht, the Social Democratic Party politician responsible for routine
oversight of Brunsbuettel in the state of Schleswig-Holstein, said shortly
after the announcement of the incidents that they underscored the risks in
allowing aging reactors to keep operating longer than scheduled under
Germany's phase-out. Last week Trauerknecht encouraged the federal government
not to allow Brunsbuettel to continue operating after its lifetime expires in
2009. Vattenfall has petitioned the federal government to allow its lifetime
to be extended.